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LIMESTONE, FREESTONE AND LEO.V COUCV'IL ES.

This system would supply an efficientpolice force, strengthen the local organizationfor the defense of the State, and retaina reserve of laborers that could givetime and attention to internal interests.The Governor also called attention tothe "fearful demoralization arid crimesprevailing throughout the State." Tlhepicture which he drew of the social conditionof Texas during this period was trulyfrightful. "Foul crime is committed, andthe criminal, steeped in guilt and brandedby his own dark deeds with eternal infamy,goes unwhipped of justice. Noteven a warrant is issued for hi n- no effortmade by the sworn officers of the law, orby the community, to bring him to punishment.Too often the deed is excused; thecommunity is divided in opinion as toguilt, and the criminal is screened fromjustice, unless his offending chances totouch some particular influence or prevailingnotions, and then, without trial andwithout the forms of law, he is hung bythe mob!"This really worthy Governor further remarkedthat the law was not at fault, andcalled upon the officers and people to cooperatein rooting out these evils. He exhortedthe judiciary and all other officersto faithfully discharge their duties, andboldly declared that the severest penaltiesshould be provided for tie civil officer whoneglected his sworn obligations.In spite of this lamentable condition ofTexas in a social point of view, her industrialprospects were far from unfavorable.Numbers of refugees from Louisiana,Arkansas anq Missouri, after the abolitionof Alwvery, sought an asylum in Texas,

which that law failcle to reach, bringc}ingrwith their their slaves. The cznselu(llencewas that the year 1863 was marked by anunprecedented production of cotton andcorn. Looms were supplied in ampleabundance, great quantities of cloth weremanufactured and industrial enterprisesundertaken on an extensive scale. Capitalwas employed by association and charteredcompanies for the manufacture of iron andother articles for home coiiinumption andthe army, and machinery for manufacturing purposes. But the producers werecalled upon to make sacrifices so great thattheir patience became exhausted. The demandfor cotton, both by Confederate officersand the State Military Board, was ilmperative,and the planter was called uponto sell oneehalf of his staple for Statebonds bearing seven per centum interest.Means of transportation to the Rio Grandewere scarce and expensive, and it was generallyconceded that the cost of transferringcotton thither from any distance in theinterior was equal to one-half its value,losses and wastage being considered. Moreover,serious embarrassments occurred betweenthe Confederate and State authorities,and cotton transported under the Stateregulations was interfered with on the RioGrande. Horses and mules were impressedfor the use of the army, and all surpluscorn was appropriated. A gloomy sentimentprevailed. Many terrible battles hadbeen fought, and it was felt that the endwas drawing near.The latter part of 1864 was disastrous tothe Confederate army, and during the firstsix months of the following year the catastrophecame. After the surrender of Gen